Brendan Rodgers insists 'this is where it starts' for Celtic as manager ramps up expectation ahead of Manchester City clash in Champions League

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Brendan Rodgers insists Celtic’s Champions League campaign starts for real against Manchester City tonight following their seven-goal mauling in Barcelona.

The Scottish champions endured a brutal opening to Group C two weeks ago when they were systematically dismantled by Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.

Now Celtic Park welcomes Pep Guardiola’s in-form side, which can equal the best-ever start to a season by an English club with an 11th straight win if they emerge victorious.

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers asserted that his side's campaign starts against Manchester City

He said the lessons from his team's heavy defeat at the Nou Camp had been learned 

Celtic welcome Pep Guardiola's unbeaten side on Wednesday in another tough match 

City boast a squad which cost a staggering £419million and are huge favourites thanks to the triple threat provided by Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Raheem Sterling.

Buoyed by a record showing just three defeats in 24 home games in the group stage, however, Rodgers has urged his players to seize the opportunity to reboot their campaign.

‘Barcelona was obviously difficult for the players with the level of opponent they faced,’ said the Celtic boss. ‘But I think now there is a realisation that we are actually in the tournament. We are in the group stage and we have earned the right to be here.

Rodgers said his squad are gaining the belief that they can compete with the bigger clubs 

‘They can reflect on that performance in Barcelona, but now this is where it starts. We are in it and belief has been growing.

‘The team are improving and on Wednesday night we want to try and impose our way of working on the game.

‘The players now are ready to begin for real what I would say are our attempts in the Champions League.’ 

‘You don’t just write off the night in Barcelona,’ he added. ‘It’s a great learning process. On the night, it’s not so nice when you go through that.